ADVERTORIAL

Kingslake-PROTEUS leads to SaaS opportunity

At the recently held launch of the PROTEUS Web Browser Financials solution to Sri Lankan and the wider Asian market, Proteus Software CEO, David Gray presented a suite of Financial Accounting Control software that only requires a Web Browser to access and operate the system, and explained how a close business partnership with the team of Kingslake had led to the collaboration and development of the solution by the Sri Lankan and Colombo based team.

The presentation explained how this would enable Sri Lankan businesses to embrace the concept of SaaS Software as a service, whereby Kingslake in partnership with IBM and a leading local telecommunications company, would provide the solution for a fixed monthly services fee, based upon the number of users requiring regular and concurrent access to the system. This fee would include the Server, Software, as well as implementation training services for key staff in the operation of the solution. The telecommunications costs necessary for providing a secure wide area network would also be included.

Gray said that "Our innovative approach and the design of our solution enables businesses with multiple branches to quickly roll out the solution across their operation, or into separate operating businesses, with no upfront capital costs, together with the surety of a robust, scalable and high availability system".

Kingslake Director Duleep Fernando said that the experience and support of the local staff would enable the solution to be set up and implemented within 90 days, and a roll out plan would ensure the use of the solution across the business with an assured and planned approach. "The fact that the PROTEUS Solution only needs a Web Browser to be accessible from each PC WorkStation, without any local software needing to be loaded, makes the roll out easy and effective" he said.

According to David Gray, the rich functionality, ease of implementation and update, as well as the speed of implementation and uniformity of business process approach that a Web Browser based solution offers, presented a compelling reason for all business applications to be delivered in this manner. "Furthermore, the flexibility and cost effectiveness to the business that a Saas (pay as you need and go) model offers, makes it a winning combination" said Gray.

LIOC launches Bitumen marketing

With the end of the civil war which plagued the country for over three decades, infrastructure development will be an integral cog in taking Sri Lanka, in particularly the North and East towards the next level of development. Having a good road network, which would reduce the time spent in getting to a particular destination would be of paramount importance.

To meet the burgeoning demand of the road construction industry and to contribute to the development of the country, Lanka IOC PLC has commenced marketing of Bitumen; Bitumen is used as a binder in road construction. Bitumen is a black, oily, viscous material that is a naturally-occurring organic byproduct of decomposed organic materials; Also known as asphalt or tar.

A ceremony was held recently at the Lanka IOC head office to officially announce the marketing of Bitumen by LIOC. LIOC Managing Director, Suresh Kumar said that Lanka IOC is making phased investments to provide world-class quality petroleum products and services at the most competitive prices to the Sri Lankan customers.

He said that Lanka IOC has already entered into the Bunker fuels market and achieved more than 40 percent of the market share within a short period. Lanka IOC aims to meet the aspirations of Customers in Bitumen market by ensuring world class standards in quality, quantity and Service.

Dialog partners HSBC

HSBC and Dialog Telekom, entered into partnership between their respective customer rewards schemes - Star Points and HSBC Rewards.

The partnership will permit customers of the respective organizations to enjoy a portfolio of rewards and redemption opportunities across the Star Points and HSBC Rewards networks. Dialog and HSBC customers would be empowered to interchange loyalty points earned on either network, thereby gaining access to a wider range of redemption opportunities.

The Star Points - HSBC Rewards partnership, is one in a series of customer-centred joint initiatives extended by two companies. The partnership will enable Dialog Mobile customers to redeem Star Points across the HSBC rewards network via a conversion to HSBC Rewards points.

HSBC Rewards partners include Odel, Cargills, Cinnamon Lakeside and several Airmiles Programs such as Kris Flyer, Asia Miles and Q Miles. Similarly, HSBC customers could now benefit from redemption offers from 400-plus Star Points merchants representing over 1,000 retail outlets islandwide through an interchange of HSBC rewards for Star Points.

Dialog Telekom PLC, Group Chief Executive Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya said, "Dialog Star Points is honoured to partner with HSBC Rewards, in presenting an unmatched and novel rewards experience to our mutual customers.

HSBC and Dialog share a common vision of delivering an excellent customer experience in our respective spheres of service provision and our unique loyalty programs, Star Points, and HSBC Rewards reflect our shared desire to deliver a multitude of value added benefits to our customers.

A coming together of these programs will add an all new dimension to our respective rewards offerings and to the redemption and savings opportunities our customers will enjoy going forward."

PCH Holdings felicitates employees

Recognizing the value of staff and the motivation of employees has long been established as one of the most vital components of successful management. PCH Holdings Private Limited, one of Sri Lanka's largest companies, with branches and subsidiary companies islandwide, have long held that it is their employees who are their greatest asset.

PCH Holdings Chairman S. H. M. Rishan said, "In the space of just over a decade, we have grown from modest roots to an international concern. I believe that the main reason for this rapid and sustained growth is the dedication, hard work and strong team spirit that pushed us to greater heights. From the top management down, I see an overwhelming degree of personal involvement being putforward in the interest of completing projects, adhering to deadlines, and upholding standards. I believe this translates well into our customercare standards and overall business principles and know that these standards will carry us to greater heights in the future."

With nearly a thousand employees, PCH Holdings covers a range of products and industries, extending from core PC Components to Software Solutions, Hardware Engineering, Pharmaceuticals, Audiovisual Equipment, and Security Solutions. Trained staff and a companywide dedication back up this extensive skill profile to the consumer, which sets PC House and its subsidiary companies apart from the competition.

The company also has branches islandwide and is involved in large-scale projects with the Government as well as with the private sector. In addition to these business commitments, PC House recently implemented an internal automaton system, bringing the entire business process onto one platform.

This was carried out in addition to existing client commitments and to the credit of the management and staff; both responsibilities were honoured on time and to the highest standards. The internal self-imposed deadlines for both full automation and full compliance were achieved ahead of target while the team pulled together to deliver on client demands as well.

Director Human Resources Jude Fernando said, "We believe in open communication at all levels, our employees know that their views and talents are respected and valued, and that we empower them to play to their strengths.